Body of Illinois Kayaker Found After Exhaustive Search Near Porter Beach

September 25, 2017-Local, state and federal officials participated in an exhaustive search last night after an illinois kayaker was reported missing near Porter Beach, Indiana. According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, ” A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter located a body floating in the water near the area at approximately 7:00 a.m. this morning and directed members of the Porter Volunteer Fire Department to the area to assist with recovering the body.” The man has been identified as Alex Lopez, 21 of Plainfield, Illinois.

According to the statement, Lopez was kayaking with friends when he went missing around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday September 24. “Emergency responders from several agencies responded to the scene and initiated a search for Alex that lasted several hours. After dark the search was postponed until early this morning” the DNR report states. The body was positively identified as Alex Lopez and turned over to the Porter County Coroner’s Office. The incident is being investigated by conservation officers as a boating accident and the cause of death is suspected accidental drowning. Alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the incident and toxicology results are pending according to the report.